Refrigerator and method for controlling refrigerator

Abstract

A refrigerator for keeping the temperature of a warming chamber inside the refrigerator within a certain range may comprise: a main body including a cooling chamber, a freezing chamber, and the warming chamber; a cooling device that includes a compressor, a condenser, an expansion valve, and an evaporator and cools the cooling chamber and the freezing chamber; a hot pipe connected between the compressor and the condenser; a bypass pipe that has an inlet and an outlet that are connected to the hot pipe and passes through the inside of the warming chamber; a cooling chamber temperature sensor that measures the temperature inside the cooling chamber; a flow path switching valve located between the inlet of the bypass pipe and the hot pipe; and a control unit for controlling the flow path switching valve so that a refrigerant flows to the hot pipe or the bypass pipe on the basis of the temperature of the warming chamber and whether the compressor is being driven.

Description

Refrigerator and refrigerator control method

[0001] The disclosed invention relates to a refrigerator including a warm room for maintaining a certain temperature range and a method for controlling the refrigerator.

[0002] A refrigerator maintains the temperature of its storage compartment at a set level by repeatedly performing a cooling cycle of compression, condensation, expansion, and evaporation of the refrigerant. In other words, the refrigerator maintains the temperature of each compartment by supplying cooled air into each compartment through an evaporator provided for each compartment based on the temperature of that compartment.

[0003] At this time, when hot air from outside flows into the refrigerator and meets the cold air inside the storage compartment, dew forms due to the temperature difference.

[0004] In order to prevent condensation, a method has been mainly used in the past to increase the temperature of the front area by placing a hot pipe through which high-temperature refrigerant flows in the front area of ​​the refrigerator and supplying heat from the hot pipe.

[0005] The disclosed invention provides a refrigerator and a control method for the refrigerator that maintains a warm room located inside the refrigerator within a certain temperature range by using heat generated in a cooling cycle without a separate heating device.

[0006] According to one embodiment, a refrigerator may include a main body including a refrigerator compartment, a freezer compartment, and a hot storage compartment, a cooling device including a compressor, a condenser, an expansion valve, and an evaporator and cooling the refrigerator compartment and the freezer compartment, a hot pipe connected between the compressor and the condenser, a bypass pipe having an inlet and an outlet connected to the hot pipe and passing inside a hot storage compartment bulkhead, and a flow diversion valve located between the inlet of the bypass pipe and the hot pipe.

[0007] According to one embodiment, a refrigerator may include a main body including a refrigerating chamber, a freezer chamber, and a hot storage chamber, a cooling device including a compressor, a condenser, an expansion valve, and an evaporator and cooling the refrigerating chamber and the freezer chamber, a hot pipe connected between the compressor and the condenser, a bypass pipe having an inlet and an outlet connected to the hot pipe and passing through an interior of the hot storage chamber bulkhead, a hot storage chamber temperature sensor for measuring a temperature inside the hot storage chamber, a flow switching valve located between the inlet of the bypass pipe and the hot pipe, and a control unit for controlling the flow switching valve to allow refrigerant to flow through the hot pipe or the bypass pipe based on the hot storage chamber temperature and whether the compressor is driven.

[0008] In one embodiment, a method for controlling a refrigerator includes a cooling device including a hot room, a compressor, a condenser, an expansion valve, and an evaporator, a hot pipe connected between the compressor and the condenser, a bypass pipe having an inlet and an outlet connected to the hot pipe and passing inside a hot room bulkhead, a hot room temperature sensor for measuring a temperature inside the hot room, and a flow switching valve positioned between the inlet of the bypass pipe and the hot pipe, the method may include measuring a temperature inside the hot room by the hot room temperature sensor, determining whether the compressor is driven, and controlling the flow switching valve based on the temperature inside the hot room and whether the compressor is driven.

[0009] According to one embodiment, a refrigerator may further include an outside temperature sensor for measuring an outside temperature of the main body, a compressor cooling fan for cooling the compressor, and a user interface including an input unit and a display unit.

[0010] The disclosed refrigerator and control method of the refrigerator can maintain a warm room at a certain temperature range by utilizing heat generated in a cooling cycle without a separate heating means by selectively allowing high-temperature refrigerant heated by a compressor to flow into a bypass pipe.

[0011] Figure 1 is an external view of a refrigerator according to one embodiment.

[0012] FIG. 2 is a drawing showing a cross-section of a refrigerator according to one embodiment.

[0013] FIG. 3 is a drawing for explaining a cooling device of a refrigerator according to one embodiment.

[0014] Figure 4 is a flow diagram showing the refrigerant flow of a cooling device of a refrigerator according to one embodiment.

[0015] Fig. 5 is a perspective view showing the connection structure of a hot pipe and a bypass pipe according to one embodiment.

[0016] FIG. 6 is an example of a control block diagram of a refrigerator according to one embodiment.

[0017] Fig. 7 is a drawing for explaining the structure of a euro switching valve according to one embodiment.

[0018] FIG. 8 is a drawing illustrating the flow of refrigerant flowing in a hot pipe according to one embodiment.

[0019] FIG. 9 is a diagram illustrating the flow of refrigerant bypassed in a bypass pipe according to another embodiment.

[0020] FIG. 10 is a drawing for explaining components of a screen displayed on a user interface according to one embodiment.

[0021] Fig. 11 is a drawing for explaining the temperature change of a hot pipe according to the operation of a compressor according to one embodiment.

[0022] FIG. 12 is a drawing for explaining an example of a method for controlling a refrigerator according to an embodiment of the present disclosure over time.

[0023] FIG. 13 is a drawing for explaining an example of a method for controlling a refrigerator according to another embodiment of the present disclosure over time.

[0024] FIG. 14 is a drawing for explaining an example of a method for controlling a refrigerator according to another embodiment of the present disclosure over time.

[0025] FIG. 15 is a drawing for explaining an example of a method for controlling a refrigerator in a defrosting mode according to an embodiment of the present disclosure over time.

[0026] It should be understood that the various embodiments of the present disclosure and the terminology used therein are not intended to limit the technical features described in the present disclosure to specific embodiments, but rather to encompass various modifications, equivalents, or alternatives of the embodiments.

[0027] In connection with the description of the drawings, similar reference numerals may be used for similar or related components.

[0028] The singular form of a noun corresponding to an item may include one or more of said items, unless the relevant context clearly indicates otherwise.

[0029] In this disclosure, each of the phrases "A or B", "at least one of A and B", "at least one of A or B", "A, B, or C", "at least one of A, B, and C", and "at least one of A, B, or C" may include any one of the items listed together in the corresponding phrase, or all possible combinations thereof.

[0030] The term "and / or" includes any combination of a plurality of related described elements or any one of a plurality of related described elements.

[0031] Terms such as "first," "second," or "first" or "second" may be used simply to distinguish one component from another and do not qualify the components in any other respect (e.g., importance or order).

[0032] In addition, terms such as 'front', 'rear', 'top', 'bottom', 'side', 'left', 'right', 'upper', and 'lower' used in the present disclosure are defined based on the drawings, and the shape and position of each component are not limited by these terms.

[0033] Terms such as "include" or "have" are intended to specify the presence of a feature, number, step, operation, component, part or combination thereof described in the present disclosure, but do not preclude the presence or addition of one or more other features, numbers, steps, operations, components, parts or combinations thereof.

[0034] When a component is said to be “connected,” “coupled,” “supported,” or “in contact with” another component, this includes not only cases where the components are directly connected, coupled, supported, or in contact, but also cases where the components are indirectly connected, coupled, supported, or in contact through a third component.

[0035] When we say that a component is "on" another component, this includes not only cases where the component is in contact with the other component, but also cases where there is another component between the two components.

[0036] A refrigerator according to one embodiment may include a body.

[0037] The "body" may include an inner case, an outer case disposed on the outside of the inner case, and an insulating material provided between the inner case and the outer case.

[0038] The "inner case" may include at least one of a case, a plate, a panel, or a liner forming a storage compartment. The inner case may be formed as a single body, or may be formed by assembling a plurality of plates. The "outer case" may form the outer appearance of the main body, and may be joined to the outer side of the inner case so that insulation is placed between the inner case and the outer case.

[0039] "Insulation" can insulate the interior and exterior of a storage room so that the temperature inside the storage room can be maintained at a set temperature without being affected by the external environment. In one embodiment, the insulation can include foam insulation. The foam insulation can be formed by injecting and foaming urethane foam, a mixture of polyurethane and a foaming agent, between the inner and outer layers.

[0040] In one embodiment, the insulation may include a vacuum insulation in addition to the foam insulation, or the insulation may consist solely of the vacuum insulation instead of the foam insulation. The vacuum insulation may include a core material and an outer shell material that accommodates the core material and seals the interior under a vacuum or near-vacuum pressure. However, the insulation is not limited to the foam insulation or vacuum insulation described above, and may include various materials that can be used for insulation.

[0041] A "storage room" may include a space defined by an interior wall. The storage room may further include an interior wall defining a corresponding space. The storage room may store various items, such as food, medicine, and cosmetics, and the storage room may be configured to be open on at least one side for the entry and exit of items.

[0042] A refrigerator may include one or more storage compartments. When a refrigerator includes two or more storage compartments, each compartment may have a different purpose and be maintained at different temperatures. To achieve this, each storage compartment may be separated from the others by a partition wall containing insulation.

[0043] The storage room may be designed to maintain an appropriate temperature range depending on its intended use, and may include a "refrigerator," a "freezer," or a "variable temperature room," which are distinguished by their intended use and / or temperature range. A refrigerator may be maintained at a temperature appropriate for refrigerating items, and a freezer may be maintained at a temperature appropriate for freezing items. "Refrigeration" may mean cooling items to a temperature that does not freeze them, and for example, a refrigerator may be maintained at a temperature ranging from 0 degrees Celsius to +7 degrees Celsius. "Freezing" may mean cooling items to freeze them or keep them frozen, and for example, a freezer may be maintained at a temperature ranging from -20 degrees Celsius to -1 degree Celsius. A variable temperature room may be used as either a refrigerator or a freezer, at the user's option or not.

[0044] In addition to names such as "refrigerator," "freezer," and "variable temperature room," a storage room may also be called by various other names such as "vegetable room," "fresh room," "cooling room," and "ice room." The terms "refrigerator," "freezer," and "variable temperature room" used hereinafter should be understood to encompass storage rooms having corresponding uses and temperature ranges.

[0045] In one embodiment, the refrigerator may include at least one door configured to open and close an open side of a storage compartment. The door may be configured to open and close one or more storage compartments, or a single door may be configured to open and close multiple storage compartments. The door may be installed on the front of the main body in a pivotal or sliding manner.

[0046] The "door" may be configured to seal the storage compartment when the door is closed. The door may include insulation, similar to the body, to insulate the storage compartment when the door is closed.

[0047] According to one embodiment, the door may include a door outer panel forming the front of the door, a door inner panel forming the back of the door and facing the storage compartment, an upper cap, a lower cap, and door insulation provided on the interior of these.

[0048] The door inner panel may be provided with a gasket that seals the storage compartment by contacting the front of the body when the door is closed. The door inner panel may include a dyke that protrudes rearward to accommodate a door basket for storing items.

[0049] In one embodiment, the door may include a door body and a front panel detachably coupled to the front side of the door body and forming the front of the door. The door body may include a door outer panel forming the front of the door body, a door inner panel forming the rear of the door body and facing the storage compartment, an upper cap, a lower cap, and door insulation provided inside these.

[0050] Depending on the arrangement of the door and storage compartment, refrigerators can be classified into French door type, side-by-side type, bottom mounted freezer (BMF), top mounted freezer (TMF), or single-door refrigerator.

[0051] According to one embodiment, the refrigerator may include a cold air supply device configured to supply cold air to the storage compartment.

[0052] A "cooling device" may include a system of machines, devices, electronic devices and / or combinations thereof capable of generating and guiding cold air to cool a storage room.

[0053] In one embodiment, the cold air supply device can generate cold air through a refrigeration cycle that includes the processes of compression, condensation, expansion, and evaporation of a refrigerant. To this end, the cold air supply device can include a refrigeration cycle device having a compressor, a condenser, an expansion device, and an evaporator capable of driving the refrigeration cycle. In one embodiment, the cold air supply device can include a semiconductor, such as a thermoelectric element. The thermoelectric element can cool a storage compartment through heat generation and cooling through the Peltier effect.

[0054] According to one embodiment, the refrigerator may include a machine room in which at least some components belonging to the cold air supply device are arranged.

[0055] The "machine room" may be designed to be partitioned and insulated from the storage room to prevent heat generated by components placed within the machine room from being transferred to the storage room. The interior of the machine room may be configured to be in communication with the exterior of the main body to dissipate heat from components placed within the machine room.

[0056] In one embodiment, the refrigerator may include a dispenser provided on the door to provide water and / or ice. The dispenser may be provided on the door so that it is accessible to a user without having to open the door.

[0057] In one embodiment, a refrigerator may include an ice-making device configured to produce ice. The ice-making device may include an ice-making tray configured to store water, an ice-separating device configured to separate ice from the ice-making tray, and an ice bucket configured to store ice produced in the ice-making tray.

[0058] According to one embodiment, the refrigerator may include a control unit for controlling the refrigerator.

[0059] The "control unit" may include a memory that stores or memorizes a program and / or data for controlling the refrigerator, and a processor that outputs a control signal for controlling a cold air supply device, etc. according to the program and / or data memorized in the memory.

[0060] Memory stores or records various information, data, commands, programs, etc. necessary for the operation of the refrigerator. Memory can store temporary data generated during the generation of control signals for controlling components within the refrigerator. Memory may include at least one of volatile memory and non-volatile memory, or a combination thereof.

[0061] The processor controls the overall operation of the refrigerator. The processor can control the components of the refrigerator by executing programs stored in memory. The processor may include a separate NPU that performs the operations of an artificial intelligence model. The processor may also include a central processing unit (CPU), a graphics processing unit (GPU), or the like. The processor may generate control signals to control the operation of the cooling system. For example, the processor may receive temperature information about the storage compartment from a temperature sensor and generate a cooling control signal to control the operation of the cooling system based on the temperature information.

[0062] Additionally, the processor may process user input of the user interface and control the operation of the user interface based on programs and / or data stored / stored in the memory. The user interface may be provided using an input interface and an output interface. The processor may receive user input from the user interface. Additionally, the processor may transmit display control signals and image data to the user interface for displaying an image on the user interface in response to the user input.

[0063] The processor and memory may be provided as a single unit or separately. The processor may include one or more processors. For example, the processor may include a main processor and at least one subprocessor. The memory may include one or more memories.

[0064] In one embodiment, a refrigerator may include a processor and memory that control all components within the refrigerator, and may include multiple processors and multiple memories that individually control the components within the refrigerator. For example, the refrigerator may include a processor and memory that control the operation of a cooling device based on the output of a temperature sensor. Additionally, the refrigerator may separately include a processor and memory that control the operation of a user interface based on user input.

[0065] The communication module can communicate with external devices, such as servers, mobile devices, and other home appliances, via a nearby access point (AP). The AP can connect the local area network (LAN) to which the refrigerator or user device is connected to the wide area network (WAN) to which the server is connected. The refrigerator or user device can then connect to the server via the WAN.

[0066] The input interface may include keys, a touchscreen, a microphone, etc. The input interface may receive user input and transmit it to the processor.

[0067] The output interface may include a display, a speaker, etc. The output interface may output various notifications, messages, information, etc. generated by the processor.

[0068] Hereinafter, refrigerators according to various embodiments will be specifically described with reference to the attached drawings.

[0069] Figure 1 is an external view of a refrigerator according to one embodiment.

[0070] Referring to FIG. 1, a refrigerator (1) may include a main body (10), a storage room (20, 30) formed inside the main body (10), a cooling device (40) for supplying cold air to the storage room (20, 30), and a warm room (24) formed in a space partitioned by a partition wall inside the storage room (20, 30).

[0071] The storage room (20, 30) can be divided into a first storage room (20) on the upper side and a second storage room (30) on the lower side by a middle bulkhead (11).

[0072] The first storage room (20) and the second storage room (30) each have an open front to allow food to be taken in and out, and the open front of the first storage room (20) can be opened and closed by a pair of doors (21; 21a, 21b) hinged to the main body (10).

[0073] The open front of the second storage room (30) can be opened and closed by at least one door (31) hingedly connected to the main body (10).

[0074] In the present disclosure, the hot room (24) is shown as being formed inside the first storage room (20), but is not limited to the present disclosure, and may be formed inside the second storage room (30).

[0075] Figure 2 is a cross-sectional view of a refrigerator according to one embodiment.

[0076] The main body (10) may include an inner case (10b) forming a storage compartment (20, 30), an outer case (10a) coupled to the outer side of the inner case (10b) to form the exterior of the refrigerator (1), and an insulating material (10c) disposed between the inner case (10b) and the outer case (10a) to insulate the storage compartment (20, 30).

[0077] The first storage room (20) is maintained at a temperature of approximately 3°C to allow food to be refrigerated, and the second storage room (30) is maintained at a temperature of approximately -19°C to allow food to be frozen.

[0078] In the present disclosure, a pair of doors (21; 21a, 21b) formed on the open front of the first storage room (20) and at least one hinged door (31) formed on the open front of the second storage room (30) are illustrated, but should not be interpreted as being limited thereto.

[0079] According to various embodiments, the number and type of storage rooms and the number and type of doors for opening and closing each storage room can be changed within the scope of conventional technology.

[0080] According to various embodiments, the first storage room (20) and / or the second storage room (30) may include a variable temperature room whose temperature can be changed according to the user's settings.

[0081] The hot room (24) can be formed by dividing the inside of the first storage room (20) by a hot room partition wall. Insulating material is provided inside the hot room partition wall to insulate the inside and outside of the hot room (24), so that the inside of the hot room (24) can be maintained at a temperature of approximately 50°C to 60°C.

[0082] The cooling device (40) may include an evaporator (41) in which liquid refrigerant evaporates into gaseous refrigerant, a compressor (42) in which the gaseous refrigerant is compressed, a condenser (47) in which the gaseous refrigerant is condensed into liquid refrigerant, and an expansion valve (48) in which the liquid refrigerant is expanded.

[0083] The compressor (42) may be configured to compress the refrigerant circulating through the cooling device (40) into a high-temperature, high-pressure gas.

[0084] The compressor fan (140) may be provided to prevent the compressor (42) from being overheated by heat generated when the compressor is driven.

[0085] The condenser (47) may be provided to condense the refrigerant compressed in the compressor (42). Specifically, the condenser (47) is connected to the outlet of the compressor (42) and can radiate heat to change the high-temperature, high-pressure gaseous refrigerant compressed in the compressor (42) into a liquid at room temperature.

[0086] The compressor (42) and condenser (47) can be installed in a machine room provided at the lower rear side of the main body (10).

[0087] The evaporator (41) can be installed in a cooling duct (50) provided at the inner rear of the storage room (20, 30).

[0088] A cooling duct (50) is provided to allow air to flow to the inner rear of the storage room (20, 30). A fan (51) may be installed in the cooling duct (50) to discharge air (hereinafter referred to as cold air) from which heat has been removed by the evaporator (41) into the interior of the storage room (20, 30) and to suck air from the storage room (20, 30) into the cooling duct (50).

[0089] An outlet may be formed on the upper side of the cooling duct (50) so that the cold air generated by the evaporator (41) is discharged to the storage chamber (20, 30). The outlet may be formed with a plurality of holes.

[0090] An intake port may be formed at the lower side of the cooling duct (50) so that air from the storage chamber (20, 30) is sucked into the cooling duct (50). The intake port may be formed with a plurality of holes.

[0091] Although it has been described that the evaporator (41) is installed at the rear of the storage chamber (20, 30) and cold air moves from the bottom to the top, the position of the evaporator (41) is not limited to this. For example, the evaporator (41) may be installed at the bottom or top surface of the storage chamber (20, 30) to form a flow path in a corresponding direction, respectively.

[0092] According to various embodiments, the evaporator (41) may be provided to correspond to each storage chamber (20, 30). For example, the evaporator (41) may include a first evaporator corresponding to the first storage chamber (20) and a second evaporator corresponding to the second storage chamber (30).

[0093] In one embodiment, when the refrigerator is operating in the refrigeration mode, the refrigerant may flow to the first evaporator. When the refrigerator is operating in the freezing mode, the refrigerant may flow to the second evaporator.

[0094] A heating room temperature sensor (110) for measuring the temperature inside the heating room (24) may be provided in the heating room (24).

[0095] The hot room temperature sensor (110) may be installed inside the hot room (24). For example, as illustrated, the temperature sensor (110) may be installed on the inside of the hot room partition wall inside the hot room (24), but the location of the temperature sensor (110) is not limited thereto.

[0096] According to various embodiments, it is also possible to provide multiple temperature sensors (110).

[0097] The components of the refrigerator have been described above with reference to FIGS. 1 and 2. Hereinafter, components constituting the cooling device in addition to the aforementioned configuration will be described with reference to FIGS. 3 to 5.

[0098] FIG. 3 is a drawing for explaining the flow of refrigerant in a cooling device of a refrigerator according to one embodiment.

[0099] In one embodiment, the cooling device (40) may include an evaporator (41) that generates cold air through heat exchange, a first refrigerant pipe (41a) for transferring gaseous refrigerant evaporated in the evaporator (41) to a compressor (42), a compressor (42) for compressing the gaseous refrigerant provided through the first refrigerant pipe (41a), a second refrigerant pipe (42a) for transferring the gaseous refrigerant compressed by the compressor (42) to a condenser, and a condenser (47) for condensing the refrigerant provided through the second refrigerant pipe (42a). In addition, the cooling device (40) may include a third refrigerant pipe (47a) for transferring liquid refrigerant condensed in the condenser (47) to an expansion valve (48), and an expansion valve (48) for expanding the condensed liquid provided through the third refrigerant pipe (47a).

[0100] The motor (not shown) of the compressor (42) can compress the gaseous refrigerant to high pressure by receiving a driving current under the control of the control unit (100) described later.

[0101] Through the pressure exerted by the compressor (42), the refrigerant can circulate through the condenser (47), the expansion valve (48), and the evaporator (41). That is, the compressor (42) plays the most important role in the cooling device (40) that cools the storage chamber (20, 30), and it can be seen that the operation of the cooling device (40) means that the compressor (42) is operated.

[0102] According to various embodiments, the cooling device (40) may include a condenser (43) for condensing the refrigerant compressed by the compressor (42). When the condenser (43) condenses the refrigerant, the temperature of the condenser (43) may increase due to latent heat released by the refrigerant. In one embodiment, the cooling device (40) may include a heat dissipation fan (not shown) for cooling the condenser (43).

[0103] According to various embodiments, the cooling device (40) may include an expansion valve (48) for expanding the refrigerant condensed in the condenser (43). The expansion valve (48) may throttle the high-pressure liquid refrigerant to reduce the pressure to a pressure that can cause evaporation. Throttling means that the pressure of the fluid is reduced without heat exchange with the outside air when it passes through a narrow passage such as a nozzle or orifice.

[0104] The expansion valve (48) can control the amount of refrigerant supplied to the evaporator (41) so that the refrigerant can absorb sufficient heat from the evaporator (41). In addition, the opening and / or opening degree of the expansion valve (48) can be controlled by the control unit (100) described later.

[0105] The surrounding air can be cooled by the evaporator (41), and the fan can draw the surrounding air cooled by the evaporator (41) into the storage chamber (20, 30).

[0106] The low-pressure gaseous refrigerant evaporated by the evaporator (41) is supplied to the compressor (42) again so that the cooling cycle can be repeated. That is, the refrigerant can circulate by passing through the compressor (42), condenser (47), expansion valve (48), and evaporator (41) in sequence, thereby cooling the storage chamber (20, 30).

[0107] In addition, in addition to the above-described configuration, a refrigerant diverter valve (44), a bypass pipe (45), and a check valve (46) may be further included to bypass the refrigerant flowing in the cooling device, which will be described below with reference to FIGS. 4 and 5.

[0108] Fig. 4 is a drawing for explaining the installation structure of a hot pipe (43) according to one embodiment.

[0109] Referring to FIG. 4, according to an embodiment, a hot pipe (43) may be formed by extending a second refrigerant pipe (42a) that transmits the refrigerant compressed by the compressor (42) to the condenser.

[0110] The hot pipe (43) can supply heat to the surroundings as the high-temperature refrigerant discharged from the compressor (42) flows through it.

[0111] A hot pipe (43) may be installed in the front area of ​​the main body (10) and buried inside the bulkhead of the main body (10) to prevent water vapor from condensing on the outside due to the temperature difference between the inside and outside of the main body (10) of the refrigerator.

[0112] In this disclosure, it has been described that the hot pipe (43) is provided in the front area of ​​the main body (10), but this is merely an example, and the hot pipe (43) may be provided in any area where dew formation must be prevented.

[0113] In addition, in the present disclosure, it has been described that the hot pipe (43) is formed by extending the second refrigerant pipe (42a) connecting the compressor (42) and the condenser (47), but this is not limited to the hot pipe (43), and the hot pipe (43) may also be formed by extending the third refrigerant pipe (47a) for delivering the liquid refrigerant condensed in the condenser (47) to the expansion valve (48).

[0114] Fig. 5 is a drawing for explaining the connection structure of a bypass pipe (45) and a hot pipe (43) according to one embodiment.

[0115] Referring to FIG. 5, according to various embodiments, a bypass pipe (45) may be included, which is connected to an inlet and an outlet of a hot pipe (43) and is formed to pass through the interior of a hot room partition wall (12) that partitions a hot room (24).

[0116] If the bypass pipe (45) is formed to pass through the inside of the hot room partition wall (12), it may be formed to pass through the upper and lower walls of the hot room partition wall, or it may be formed to pass through only the side walls of the hot room partition wall.

[0117] The bypass pipe (45) allows high-temperature refrigerant flowing in from the hot pipe (43) to flow, and the hot room (24) can be maintained within a certain temperature range by the heat transferred from the high-temperature refrigerant into the hot room (24).

[0118] The bypass pipe (45) can be formed in a meander line that meanders in the vertical direction to transfer a greater amount of heat into the hot room (24).

[0119] According to various embodiments, a euro switching valve (44) may be included located between the inlet of the bypass pipe (45) and the hot pipe (43).

[0120] The euro switching valve (44) is controlled by the control unit (100) and can switch the euro to allow the high-temperature refrigerant discharged from the compressor flowing in the hot pipe (43) to flow into the bypass pipe (45).

[0121] Although the refrigerator of the present disclosure is provided with a flow diversion valve (44) to allow high-temperature refrigerant to flow through a bypass pipe (45), it should not be interpreted as being limited thereto, and a valve unit including various valves or a plurality of valves may be provided to divert the flow of refrigerant from a hot pipe (43) to a bypass pipe (45).

[0122] For example, one of a ball valve, a butterfly valve, and a globe valve, the opening and closing of which is controlled by the control unit (100), may be provided at the inlet side of the bypass pipe (45).

[0123] According to various embodiments, a check valve (46) may be included located between the outlet of the bypass pipe (45) and the hot pipe (43).

[0124] The check valve (46) can allow the refrigerant to flow only from the compressor (42) to the condenser (43) and block the flow in the opposite direction when the refrigerant flows only through the hot pipe (43).

[0125] In addition, when the refrigerant flows to the bypass pipe (45) by the euro switching valve (44), the check valve (46) can only allow the refrigerant discharged from the outlet (45b) of the bypass pipe (45) to flow in the hot pipe (43) connected to the outlet of the bypass pipe (45) to flow in the end connected to the condenser (47) and block the flow in the opposite direction to the end connected to the compressor (42).

[0126] FIG. 6 is an example of a control block diagram of a refrigerator according to one embodiment.

[0127] Referring to FIG. 6, the refrigerator may include a controllable compressor (42), a compressor fan (140), a flow switching valve (44), and / or a user interface (130), a control unit (100) for controlling the compressor (42), the compressor fan (140), the flow switching valve (44), and / or the user interface (130) of the refrigerator, a heat storage room temperature sensor (110) for measuring the temperature of the heat storage room (24), and an outside temperature sensor (120) for measuring the temperature of the outside air around the main body (10).

[0128] The control unit (100) may include at least one memory (102) in which various data required to perform the aforementioned or later-described operations are stored, and at least one processor (101) that performs the operations.

[0129] That is, the control unit (100) may include hardware such as a CPU, a Micom (e.g., MCU, MPU), a memory (102), and a processor (101), and software such as a control program. For example, the control unit (100) may include at least one memory (102) that stores data in the form of information, algorithms, and / or programs for controlling the operation of components within the refrigerator, and at least one processor (101) that performs the operations described above and the operations to be described below using the data and / or information stored in the at least one memory (102).

[0130] The memory (102) may include volatile memory such as Static Random Access Memory (S-RAM), Dynamic Random Access Memory (D-RAM), and non-volatile memory such as Read Only Memory (ROM), Erasable Programmable Read Only Memory (EPROM), and Electrically Erasable Programmable Read Only Memory (EEPROM).

[0131] In the present disclosure, it will be readily apparent to those skilled in the art that controlling the compressor (42) may include controlling the motor of the compressor (42), and controlling the compressor fan (140) may include controlling the motor of the compressor fan (140).

[0132] The control unit (100) can control the compressor (42) by controlling the drive circuit for driving the compressor (42). The control unit (100) can obtain operating information of the compressor (42) from the drive circuit for driving the compressor (42).

[0133] The operating information of the compressor (42) may include information regarding the operating frequency of the compressor (42) and / or the operating time of the compressor (42).

[0134] The control unit (100) can control the compressor fan (140) by controlling the drive circuit for driving the compressor fan (140). The control unit (100) can obtain operation information of the compressor fan (140) from the drive circuit for driving the compressor fan (140).

[0135] The operating information of the compressor fan (140) may include information about the operating RPM of the compressor fan (140) and / or the operating time of the compressor fan (140).

[0136] The control unit (100) can receive temperature information of the heating room (24) from the heating room temperature sensor (110).

[0137] The temperature information of the hot room (24) may include data regarding the temperature value of the hot room (24) measured from the hot room temperature sensor (110).

[0138] The control unit (100) can receive temperature information of the external air around the main body (10) from the external temperature sensor (120).

[0139] The temperature information of the external air around the main body (10) may include data regarding the temperature value of the external air measured from the outside temperature sensor (120).

[0140] In one embodiment, the control unit (100) may control the compressor (42) and / or the compressor fan (140) based on the temperature of the storage compartment (20, 30).

[0141] For example, the control unit (100) can operate the compressor (42) and the compressor fan (140) in response to the temperature of the storage room (20, 30) being higher than a preset temperature.

[0142] In one embodiment, the control unit (100) may control the compressor (42) and / or the compressor fan (140) based on the temperature of the hot room (24).

[0143] For example, the control unit (100) may operate or stop the compressor (42) and / or the compressor fan (140) in response to the temperature of the heating room (24) being outside the heating temperature range.

[0144] The control unit (100) operating the compressor (42) and / or the compressor fan (140) can be defined as driving the motor of the compressor (42) and / or the motor of the compressor fan (140).

[0145] The control unit (100) stopping the operation of the compressor (42) and / or the compressor fan (140) can be defined as stopping the operation of the motor of the compressor (42) and / or the motor of the compressor fan (140).

[0146] In another embodiment, the control unit (100) may control the euro switching valve (44) in response to the temperature of the heating chamber (24) being outside the heating temperature range.

[0147] The control unit (100) controlling the euro switching valve (44) can be defined as modifying the internal structure of the euro switching valve (44) to allow the refrigerant to flow only through the hot pipe (43) or to control the refrigerant to bypass from the hot pipe (43) to the bypass pipe (45).

[0148] In another embodiment, the control unit (100) can control the flow switching valve (44) to switch the flow based on whether the compressor (43) is driven.

[0149] For example, the control unit (100) can control the flow switching valve (44) so ​​that refrigerant flows only through the hot pipe (43) when the compressor (43) is not driven, and so that refrigerant flows through the bypass pipe (45) when the compressor (43) is driven.

[0150] Meanwhile, if the warm room (24) provided inside the refrigerator is equipped with a separate heating device to maintain a certain temperature range, separate power is required to operate the heating device, which inevitably lowers the energy efficiency of the refrigerator.

[0151] According to the present disclosure, a method is provided for transferring heat to the inside of a heating room without a separate heating device by forming a bypass pipe (45) through which high-temperature refrigerant discharged from a compressor (42) can flow so as to pass through the inside of a heating room bulkhead.

[0152] When the internal temperature measured by the room temperature sensor (110) exceeds the room temperature range, the amount of heat transferred into the room can be controlled by allowing the high-temperature refrigerant discharged from the compressor (42) to flow through the bypass pipe (45) or preventing the refrigerant from flowing into the bypass pipe (45).

[0153] In addition, depending on whether the compressor (42) is in operation, the high-temperature refrigerant discharged from the compressor (42) can be allowed to flow through the bypass pipe (45) or the refrigerant can be prevented from flowing into the bypass pipe (45). This can prevent the refrigerant that is not heated due to the compressor not being in operation from flowing into the bypass pipe (45), thereby blocking the transfer of heat from the hot room (24) to the bypass pipe (45).

[0154] Hereinafter, an embodiment of the present disclosure in which high-temperature refrigerant discharged from a compressor through a euro switching valve (44) flows into a hot pipe (43) or a bypass pipe (45) will be described with reference to FIGS. 7 to 9.

[0155] Fig. 7 is a drawing for explaining the structure of a euro switching valve (44) according to one embodiment.

[0156] Referring to FIG. 7, a euro switching valve (44) according to one embodiment of the present invention may be located between the hot pipe (43) and the inlet of the bypass pipe (45).

[0157] The euro switching valve (44) may include an inlet (441) connected to the hot pipe (43) on the compressor (42) side and through which refrigerant is introduced, a first discharge port (442) connected to the hot pipe (43) on the condenser (47) side and through which refrigerant is discharged, and a second discharge port (443) connected to the inlet of the bypass pipe (45) and through which refrigerant is discharged.

[0158] The euro switching valve (44) is controlled by the control unit (100) to discharge the refrigerant introduced into the inlet (441) to at least one of the first outlet (442) or the second outlet (443).

[0159] Fig. 8 is a drawing illustrating the flow of refrigerant flowing through a hot pipe (43) according to one embodiment.

[0160] The Euro switching valve (44) can discharge the refrigerant introduced into the inlet (441) from the hot pipe (43) on the compressor (42) side through the first discharge port (442) under the control of the control unit (100) so that the refrigerant can flow into the hot pipe (43) on the condenser (47) side (P1).

[0161] Figure 9 is a drawing showing the flow of refrigerant bypassed in a bypass pipe (45) according to another embodiment.

[0162] The Euro switching valve (44) can discharge the refrigerant introduced into the inlet (441) from the hot pipe (43) on the compressor (42) side through the second discharge port (442) under the control of the control unit (100) so that the refrigerant can flow into the bypass pipe (45) (P2).

[0163] The euro switching valve (44) can be formed to be able to switch the refrigerant flow path discharged from the compressor (42) between P1 and P2 under the control of the control unit (100).

[0164] As described above, the control unit (100) can control the euro switching valve (44) in response to the temperature of the heating room (24) going outside the heating temperature range.

[0165] The temperature range of the heating element may be determined by data stored in the memory (102) or by user input.

[0166] Although the present disclosure has described the heating temperature range as an example, it is obvious to those skilled in the art that the above-described contents can also be applied when the heating room (24) is operated in the defrosting mode.

[0167] Hereinafter, the operating mode and temperature range of the heating room (24) will be described based on the components displayed on the user interface (130) according to one embodiment with reference to FIG. 10.

[0168] FIG. 10 is a drawing for explaining components displayed on a user interface (130) according to one embodiment.

[0169] The user interface (130) according to the present disclosure is described as being located in the door (21, 31), but it should not be interpreted as being limited thereto and may be provided in the main body (10).

[0170] A user interface (130) according to one embodiment is electrically connected to the control unit (100) and may include a hot room user interface (130a) related to the hot room (24) in some area. The hot room user interface (130a) is not fixed in position and size within the user interface (130), and its position and size may change.

[0171] A hot room user interface (130a) according to one embodiment may include an input unit (131; 131a, 131b) for obtaining various inputs regarding the operation of the hot room (24) and a display unit (132; 132a, 133b, 133c) for displaying various information including the current internal temperature of the hot room (24).

[0172] For example, the hot room user interface (130a) may include a display (132a) that displays the current hot room temperature obtained from the hot room temperature sensor (110).

[0173] Additionally, the hot room user interface (130a) may include a display unit (132b) that displays the current operating mode of the hot room (24) and may include an input unit (131a) that allows the user to change the operating mode.

[0174] The operating mode of the hot room (24) may include a hot mode, a defrosting mode, and a stop mode.

[0175] The warm mode refers to the normal warm room (24) operation mode, and the warm room (24) can be set to operate in the warm mode if there is no separate user input.

[0176] The defrosting mode refers to an operating mode for defrosting frozen food, etc. When the user selects the defrosting mode, the warming chamber (24) can operate in the defrosting mode for the defrosting time and then operate in the warming mode again.

[0177] The defrosting mode may include various defrosting modes corresponding to the items stored in the hot room (24).

[0178] At this time, the defrosting time can be interpreted as the time for operating the hot room (24) in the defrosting mode, and the defrosting time corresponding to various defrosting modes can be preset and information about the defrosting time can be stored in the memory (102), or the defrosting time can be set by input by the user.

[0179] The standstill mode may mean that the hot room (24) is no longer maintained at a constant temperature range and is operating like the storage room (20 or 30) in which the hot room (24) is located.

[0180] Additionally, the hot room user interface (130a) may include a display (132c) that displays a temperature range corresponding to the current operating mode of the hot room (24).

[0181] The temperature range may be either a heating temperature range or a defrosting temperature range, depending on the operating mode of the heating room (24).

[0182] The heating temperature range or thawing temperature range is defined as a value higher than or equal to the lowest temperature (110a) at which bypass of the refrigerant is initiated through the bypass pipe (45) and lower than or equal to the highest temperature (110b), which is the maximum temperature of the allowable heating room (24).

[0183] The user may also directly input the heating temperature range or defrosting temperature range of the heating room (24), and the heating room user interface (130a) may include an input unit (131b) for obtaining the user's input regarding the temperature range setting.

[0184] The position and shape of the input section (131; 131a, 131b) and the display section (132; 132a, 133b, 133c) of the present disclosure should not be interpreted as limited to the present disclosure, and may be changed within the scope of ordinary technology.

[0185] In the above, an embodiment of controlling a flow switching valve (44) based on the temperature range of the heating chamber (24) and the heating temperature range has been described. Hereinafter, an embodiment of controlling a flow switching valve (44) based on whether a compressor is driven will be described with reference to FIG. 11.

[0186] FIG. 11 is a drawing for explaining the temperature change of a hot pipe (43) according to the operation of a compressor (42) according to one embodiment.

[0187] According to one embodiment, the hot pipe (43) is located in the front area of ​​the main body (10), and the refrigerant discharged from the compressor (42) flows through the hot pipe (43), and the temperature of the hot pipe (43) can change depending on the outside temperature obtained by the outside temperature sensor (120) and whether the compressor (42) is driven.

[0188] Referring to FIG. 11, the graph (1100) of FIG. 11 is a graph showing the temperature change of the hot pipe (43) and the compressor (42) depending on whether the compressor is driven or not when the outside temperature is constant at 15°C.

[0189] The x-axis of the graph (1100) represents time (s), the y-axis represents temperature (℃), the solid line represents the temperature change of the hot pipe (43) over time, and the dotted line represents the temperature change of the compressor (42) over time.

[0190] According to the present disclosure, when the compressor (42) is not driven (e.g., at time t0), the hot pipe (43) cannot receive high-temperature refrigerant from the compressor (42), so the temperature of the hot pipe (43) can be close to the outside temperature (e.g., 15°C).

[0191] When the compressor (42) starts to operate (for example, at time t1), as the motor of the compressor (42) operates and heat is generated, the temperature of the hot pipe (43) may also increase as the high-temperature refrigerant discharged from the compressor (42) flows into the hot pipe (43).

[0192] As the compressor (42) is driven, the temperature of the hot pipe (43) increases to a temperature close to that of the compressor (42), but when the operation of the compressor (42) is stopped (e.g., at time t2), the high-temperature refrigerant does not flow into the hot pipe (43), so the temperature of the hot pipe (43) may no longer increase.

[0193] In other words, from the time when the compressor (42) stops operating (e.g., time t2) to the time when it resumes operating (e.g., time t3), the high-temperature refrigerant flowing through the hot pipe (43) flows out to the condenser (47), and the unheated refrigerant flows in from the compressor (42), so the temperature of the hot pipe (43) decreases and can have a value close to the outside temperature again.

[0194] That is, while the compressor (42) is operating, the temperature of the hot pipe (43) continues to be high and high-temperature refrigerant flows, so bypassing the refrigerant through the bypass pipe (45) can supply sufficient heat to the hot room (24).

[0195] Conversely, when the compressor (42) is not operating, unheated refrigerant flows inside the hot pipe (43), and if the refrigerant is bypassed through the bypass pipe (45), the refrigerant may instead take heat away from the hot room (24).

[0196] Accordingly, the control unit (100) needs to determine whether the compressor (42) is driven to effectively maintain the temperature of the hot room, and based on this, control the refrigerant switching valve (44) to prevent the refrigerant flowing through the hot pipe (43) from flowing into the bypass (45) pipe. Hereinafter, a method for controlling a refrigerator to maintain the hot room (24) within a certain temperature range will be described with reference to FIG. 12.

[0197] FIG. 12 is a drawing for explaining an example of a method for controlling a refrigerator according to an embodiment of the present disclosure over time.

[0198] A control method according to one embodiment of the present disclosure may correspond to a control method of a refrigerator in storage mode.

[0199] The control unit (100) can control the flow switching valve (44) to allow high-temperature refrigerant to flow into the bypass pipe (45) in response to the first hot room temperature (T0) being lower than the lowest temperature of the hot room temperature range.

[0200] Specifically, the control unit (100) obtains the first hot room temperature (T0) measured from the hot room temperature sensor (110) (S1201), and if the first hot room temperature (T0) is lower than the lowest temperature of the hot room temperature range (example of S1202), determines whether the compressor (42) is driven. If the compressor (42) is driven (example of S1203), the control unit (100) waits for a first time (S1204), and then controls the flow path switching valve (44) to switch the flow path to the bypass pipe (45) so that high-temperature refrigerant can flow into the bypass pipe (45) (S1205).

[0201] The first time can be determined as the time required for the refrigerant flowing in the hot pipe (43) to be sufficiently heated as the compressor (42) operates.

[0202] As described above with reference to FIG. 11, before the compressor (42) is driven (at time t0 in FIG. 11), the temperature of the hot pipe (43) (i.e., the temperature of the refrigerant flowing through the hot pipe (43)) is similar to the outside temperature. Therefore, if the flow path is switched to the bypass pipe (45) to allow the refrigerant to flow without waiting for a predetermined time, sufficient heat may not be supplied to the hot room (24).

[0203] Therefore, after waiting for the first hour and switching the euro, sufficiently heated refrigerant flows into the hot pipe (43) and is bypassed through the bypass pipe (45) to efficiently transfer heat to the hot room (24).

[0204] The lower the temperature of the hot pipe (43) before the compressor (42) starts operating (i.e., the temperature of the refrigerant flowing through the hot pipe (43), the longer it is necessary to wait for the refrigerant flowing through the hot pipe (43) to be sufficiently heated. Therefore, the first waiting time may be inversely proportional to the outside temperature.

[0205] The control unit (100) can wait for a second time from the time when the flow is switched to the bypass pipe (45) without switching the flow (S1206).

[0206] The control unit (100) can obtain the measured second room temperature (T1) after waiting for the second time (S1207).

[0207] At this time, based on the fact that the temperature of the second warm room is lower than the temperature of the first warm room (example of S1208), the flow path can be switched to the hot pipe (43) to control the flow path switching valve (44) so ​​that the refrigerant does not flow into the bypass pipe (45) (S1209).

[0208] That is, since the temperature of the second heating room is lower than the temperature of the first heating room, it means that the bypassed refrigerant is not sufficiently heated, and thus, the unheated refrigerant can be prevented from flowing through the bypass pipe (45) and taking heat away from the heating room (24).

[0209] The second waiting time can be determined as the time required for the hot room (24) to be sufficiently heated as the refrigerant is bypassed through the bypass pipe (45).

[0210] A certain amount of time may be required to supply heat to the heating room (24) by allowing the high-temperature refrigerant to flow through the bypass pipe (45) and raise the temperature of the heating room (24).

[0211] Therefore, after waiting for the second hour, the temperature of the heating room can be measured to accurately determine whether the internal temperature of the heating room (24) is actually rising.

[0212] Before switching the flow to the bypass pipe (45), the temperature of the hot room (24) (i.e., the first hot room temperature (T0)) is far outside the hot room temperature range, and the greater the difference between the lowest temperature of the hot room temperature range and the temperature of the first hot room, the more heat needs to be supplied from the refrigerant flowing through the bypass pipe (45). Therefore, the second time may be proportional to the difference between the lowest temperature of the hot room temperature range and the temperature of the first hot room.

[0213] The control unit (100) can control the flow switching valve (44) so ​​that the refrigerant flows only through the hot pipe (43), i.e., so that the refrigerant does not flow into the bypass pipe (45), based on whether the temperature in the hot room increases.

[0214] The control unit (100) can control the flow path switching valve (44) based on an increase in the room temperature (i.e., NO of S1208) to maintain the flow path so that the refrigerant flows into the bypass pipe (45).

[0215] Depending on the various embodiments, some of the steps illustrated in FIG. 12 may be omitted and some steps may be added.

[0216] Hereinafter, with reference to Fig. 13, a method for controlling a refrigerator after switching the flow path so that the refrigerant flows only through the hot pipe (43) (A) will be described.

[0217] FIG. 13 is a drawing for explaining an example of a method for controlling a refrigerator according to another embodiment of the present disclosure over time.

[0218] The control unit (100) can control the euro switching valve (44) to switch the euro so that the refrigerant flows only through the hot pipe (43) and wait for a third hour without switching the euro (S1301).

[0219] The control unit (100) can switch the flow path so that the refrigerant flows back into the bypass pipe (45) after waiting for the third time (S1302).

[0220] The third time can be determined as the time to heat the refrigerant that is not sufficiently heated to a level where it can supply heat to the hot room (24).

[0221] The third time is a value obtained through an experiment, and a predetermined time is set according to the specifications of the refrigerator, and information about the third time may be stored in the memory (102).

[0222] That is, the control unit (100) controls the euro switching valve (44) to prevent the refrigerant from flowing into the bypass pipe (45), and then allows the refrigerant to be heated by the compressor (42) for a third hour, and only after the third hour has elapsed can the refrigerant be bypassed into the bypass pipe (45) to supply heat into the heating room (24).

[0223] The control unit (100) can control the refrigerant to flow only through the hot pipe (43) based on whether the compressor (42) is operating and the temperature of the hot room (24), after switching the flow path so that the refrigerant flows back into the bypass pipe (45).

[0224] Specifically, the control unit (100) can control the flow path switching valve (44) by determining whether the compressor (42) is driven after switching the flow path so that the refrigerant bypasses the bypass pipe (45) again (S1303).

[0225] When the compressor (42) is no longer running (NO of S1303), the control unit (100) can control the flow diversion valve (44) to divert the flow so that the refrigerant flows only through the hot pipe (43), i.e., so that the refrigerant does not flow into the bypass pipe (45) (S1307).

[0226] That is, since the refrigerant will not be heated when the operation of the compressor (42) is stopped, the flow path can be switched to prevent the unheated refrigerant from flowing through the bypass pipe (45) and taking heat away from the heating room (24).

[0227] When the compressor (42) is driven (example of S1303), the control unit (100) obtains the room temperature (T2) from the room temperature sensor (110) (S1305), and based on the room temperature (T2) being higher than the maximum temperature of the room temperature range (example of S1305), controls the flow path switching valve (44) to switch the flow path so that the refrigerant flows only through the hot pipe (43), i.e., so that the refrigerant does not flow into the bypass pipe (45) (S1306).

[0228] Hereinafter, with reference to Fig. 14, a method for controlling a refrigerator is described in a state (B) where the flow path is maintained so that the refrigerant flows through the bypass pipe (45).

[0229] FIG. 14 is a drawing for explaining an example of a method for controlling a refrigerator according to another embodiment of the present disclosure over time.

[0230] When the second temperature (T1) is higher than the first temperature (T0), i.e., when the temperature of the heating room (24) is rising, the control unit (100) can control the flow switching valve (44) depending on whether the compressor (42) is driven and the heating room temperature while the refrigerant continues to flow in the bypass pipe (45).

[0231] Specifically, the control unit (100) can control the euro switching valve (44) by determining whether the compressor (42) is driven (S1401).

[0232] When the compressor (42) is no longer running (NO in S1401), the control unit (100) can control the flow diversion valve (44) to divert the flow so that the refrigerant flows only through the hot pipe (43), i.e., so that the refrigerant does not flow into the bypass pipe (45) (S1405).

[0233] That is, when the compressor (42) is stopped from operating by switching the euro, the refrigerant will not be heated, so that the unheated refrigerant can be prevented from taking heat from the heating room (24) while flowing through the bypass pipe (45).

[0234] When the compressor (42) is driven (example of S1401), the control unit (100) obtains the room temperature (T3) from the room temperature sensor (110) (S1402), and based on the room temperature (T3) being higher than the maximum temperature of the room temperature range (example of S1403), controls the flow path switching valve (44) to switch the flow path so that the refrigerant does not flow into the bypass pipe (45) (S1404).

[0235] That is, referring to FIGS. 12 to 14, when the temperature of the hot room (24) is lower than the lowest temperature of the hot room temperature range, the flow path is switched so that the refrigerant flows into the bypass pipe (45), and when the temperature exceeds the highest temperature of the hot room temperature range, the flow path is switched so that the refrigerant does not flow into the bypass pipe (45). In this process, when the compressor (42) does not operate or the refrigerant inside the hot pipe (43) is not sufficiently heated even when the compressor (42) operates, the flow path is switched so that the refrigerant does not flow into the bypass pipe (45), so that the hot room (24) can maintain the hot room temperature range.

[0236] In the above, a control method for controlling a euro switching valve (44) in a warm mode has been described with reference to FIGS. 12 to 14. Hereinafter, a control method for a refrigerator in a defrosting mode according to one embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. 15.

[0237] FIG. 15 is a drawing for explaining an example of a method for controlling a refrigerator in a defrosting mode according to an embodiment of the present disclosure over time.

[0238] In response to the user selecting a defrosting mode through the user interface (130), the control unit (100) can control the euro switching valve (44) based on the highest temperature in the defrosting temperature range during the defrosting time.

[0239] Specifically, the control unit (100) controls the refrigerant changeover valve (44) based on the temperature of the refrigerant room (24) being the highest temperature in the thawing temperature range during the thawing period, assuming that the temperature of the refrigerant room (24) is rising and the compressor (42) is driven to cause refrigerant to flow to the bypass pipe (45) (example of S1501).

[0240] Specifically, if the defrosting time has not elapsed (NO of S1502), the control unit (100) controls the refrigerant switching valve (44) in response to the fact that the acquired temperature (T4) of the hot room (24) is higher than the maximum temperature of the defrosting temperature range, so that the refrigerant flows only through the hot pipe (43) and the refrigerant does not flow into the bypass pipe (45).

[0241] When the defrosting time has elapsed (example of S1502), the heating chamber (24) operates in storage mode again, so that the control unit (100) can control the oil changeover valve (44) based on the highest temperature of the heating temperature range as described above.

[0242] The highest temperature in the thawing temperature range may be higher than or equal to the highest temperature in the warming temperature range.

[0243] Accordingly, the heating chamber (24) can maintain different temperature ranges depending on the operating mode.

[0244] According to the present disclosure with reference to FIGS. 12 to 15, the control unit (100) can repeatedly perform the above-described control method based on the temperature of the hot room (24) (S1201) or whether the compressor (42) is driven (S1203) in a state where the refrigerant does not flow into the bypass pipe (45) but only flows into the hot pipe (43).

[0245] A refrigerator according to one embodiment of the present disclosure comprises: a main body including a refrigerator compartment, a freezer compartment, and a warm compartment;

[0246] A cooling device including a compressor, a condenser, an expansion valve, and an evaporator and cooling the refrigerator and freezer compartments; a hot pipe connected between the compressor and the condenser; a bypass pipe having an inlet and an outlet connected to the hot pipe and passing through the inside of the hot compartment bulkhead; and a flow diverting valve located between the inlet of the bypass pipe and the hot pipe.

[0247] According to another embodiment of the present disclosure, a refrigerator may include: a main body including a refrigerator compartment, a freezer compartment, and a hot storage compartment; a cooling device including a compressor, a condenser, an expansion valve, and an evaporator and cooling the refrigerator compartment and the freezer compartment; a hot pipe connected between the compressor and the condenser; a bypass pipe having an inlet and an outlet connected to the hot pipe and passing through an interior of the hot storage compartment bulkhead; a hot storage compartment temperature sensor for measuring a temperature inside the hot storage compartment; a flow switching valve located between the inlet of the bypass pipe and the hot pipe; and a control unit for controlling the flow switching valve to allow refrigerant to flow through the hot pipe or the bypass pipe based on the hot storage compartment temperature and whether the compressor is driven.

[0248] The above control unit can control the euro switching valve so that the heating room maintains a heating temperature range.

[0249] The above control unit can control the flow switching valve so that refrigerant flows into the bypass pipe when the temperature of the first hot room is lower than the lowest temperature of the hot room temperature range, and can control the flow switching valve so that refrigerant does not flow into the bypass pipe when the temperature of the hot room is higher than the highest temperature of the hot room temperature range.

[0250] The control unit can control the flow path switching valve to maintain the flow path in response to the refrigerant flowing through the bypass pipe and the compressor being driven, and can control the flow path switching valve to prevent the refrigerant from flowing into the bypass pipe in response to the refrigerant flowing through the bypass pipe and the compressor not being driven.

[0251] A refrigerator according to one embodiment of the present disclosure further includes an outside temperature sensor for measuring an outside temperature of the main body; and the control unit can control a flow switching valve so that refrigerant can be introduced into the bypass pipe after waiting for a first time in response to the first hot room temperature being lower than the lowest temperature of the hot room temperature range.

[0252] The above first time may be inversely proportional to the outside temperature obtained from the outside temperature sensor.

[0253] The above control unit can wait a second time from the time when the refrigerant starts to flow into the bypass pipe, and control the flow switching valve to prevent the refrigerant from flowing into the bypass pipe in response to the second hot room temperature obtained after waiting the second time being lower than the first hot room temperature.

[0254] The second time may be proportional to the difference between the lowest temperature of the above-mentioned heating temperature range and the temperature of the first heating room.

[0255] The refrigerator further includes a compressor cooling fan that cools the compressor, and the control unit is electrically connected to the compressor cooling fan to prevent the compressor fan from operating from a point in time when refrigerant stops flowing through the bypass pipe.

[0256] The above control unit can control the flow switching valve so that the refrigerant can flow into the bypass pipe after waiting for a preset third time from a time point when the refrigerant does not flow into the bypass pipe.

[0257] The above control unit can control the flow path switching valve so that the refrigerant does not flow into the bypass pipe in response to the third hot room temperature obtained after waiting for the third time and switching the flow path so that the refrigerant can flow into the bypass pipe being higher than the highest temperature of the hot room temperature range.

[0258] The above control unit can control the flow path switching valve so that the refrigerant can flow into the bypass pipe after waiting for the third time during the defrosting time based on the fact that the above-mentioned hot room is operating in the defrosting mode, and then control the flow path switching valve so that the refrigerant does not flow into the bypass pipe in response to the fact that the obtained fourth hot room temperature is higher than the highest temperature of the defrosting temperature range.

[0259] The refrigerator further includes a user interface including an input unit and a display unit, and the control unit controls the oil change valve based on an operation mode of the heating chamber input from the input unit, and the operation mode may correspond to one of a heating mode, a defrosting mode, and a stop mode.

[0260] According to another embodiment of the present disclosure, a method for controlling a refrigerator comprising a main body including a hot room, a compressor, a condenser, an expansion valve, and an evaporator, a cooling device including a hot pipe connected between the compressor and the condenser, a bypass pipe having an inlet and an outlet connected to the hot pipe and passing inside a hot room bulkhead, a hot room temperature sensor for measuring a temperature inside the hot room, and a flow switching valve positioned between the inlet of the bypass pipe and the hot pipe may include measuring a temperature inside the hot room by the hot room temperature sensor, determining whether the compressor is driven, and controlling the flow switching valve based on the temperature obtained from the hot room temperature sensor and whether the compressor is driven.

[0261] Controlling the above-described euro switching valve may include controlling the euro switching valve so that the temperature in the heating room is maintained within the heating room temperature range.

[0262] Controlling the above-mentioned flow switching valve may include switching the flow so that refrigerant flows into the bypass pipe when the temperature of the first hot room is below the lowest temperature of the hot room temperature range, and switching the flow so that refrigerant does not flow into the bypass pipe when the temperature of the hot room is above the highest temperature of the hot room temperature range.

[0263] Controlling the above-described flow path switching valve may include maintaining the flow path in response to refrigerant flowing through the bypass pipe and the compressor being driven, and switching the flow path so that refrigerant does not flow into the bypass pipe in response to refrigerant flowing through the bypass pipe and the compressor not being driven.

[0264] The refrigerator further includes an outside temperature sensor for measuring the outside temperature of the main body,

[0265] Controlling the above-described euro switching valve may include waiting a first time period in response to the first hot room temperature being less than a minimum temperature of the hot room temperature range, and then switching the euro to allow refrigerant to flow into the bypass pipe.

[0266] Controlling the above-mentioned flow switching valve may include waiting a second time from the time when the refrigerant starts to flow into the bypass pipe, and switching the flow so that the refrigerant does not flow into the bypass pipe in response to the second hot room temperature obtained after waiting the second time being lower than the first hot room temperature.

[0267] Meanwhile, the disclosed embodiments may be implemented in the form of a recording medium storing computer-executable instructions. The instructions may be stored in the form of program code, and when executed by a processor, may generate program modules to perform the operations of the disclosed embodiments. The recording medium may be implemented as a computer-readable recording medium.

[0268] Computer-readable storage media include all types of storage media that store instructions that can be deciphered by a computer. Examples include read-only memory (ROM), random access memory (RAM), magnetic tape, magnetic disks, flash memory, and optical data storage devices.

[0269] Additionally, a computer-readable recording medium may be provided in the form of a non-transitory storage medium. Here, the term "non-transitory storage medium" simply means a tangible device that does not contain signals (e.g., electromagnetic waves). This term does not distinguish between cases where data is permanently stored in the storage medium and cases where data is temporarily stored. For example, a "non-transitory storage medium" may include a buffer in which data is temporarily stored.

[0270] According to one embodiment, the method according to various embodiments disclosed in the present document may be provided as included in a computer program product. The computer program product may be traded as a product between a seller and a buyer. The computer program product may be distributed in the form of a machine-readable recording medium (e.g., compact disc read only memory (CD-ROM)), or may be distributed online (e.g., downloaded or uploaded) via an application store (e.g., Play Store™) or directly between two user devices (e.g., smartphones). In the case of online distribution, at least a portion of the computer program product (e.g., a downloadable app) may be temporarily stored or temporarily generated on a machine-readable recording medium, such as the memory of a manufacturer's server, an application store's server, or an intermediary server.

[0271] The disclosed embodiments have been described with reference to the attached drawings as described above. Those skilled in the art will understand that the present invention can be implemented in forms other than the disclosed embodiments without altering the technical spirit or essential features of the present invention. The disclosed embodiments are illustrative and should not be construed as limiting.

Claims

1. Main body including refrigerator, freezer and warm room; A cooling device comprising a compressor, a condenser, an expansion valve and an evaporator, and cooling the refrigerator and freezer compartments; A hot pipe connected between the compressor and the condenser; A bypass pipe having an inlet and an outlet connected to the above hot pipe and passing through the inside of the hot room bulkhead; A refrigerator comprising a euro switching valve located between the inlet of the bypass pipe and the hot pipe.

2. Main body including refrigerator, freezer and warm room; A cooling device comprising a compressor, a condenser, an expansion valve and an evaporator, and cooling the refrigerator and freezer compartments; A hot pipe connected between the compressor and the condenser; A bypass pipe having an inlet and an outlet connected to the above hot pipe and passing through the inside of the hot room bulkhead; A room temperature sensor for measuring the temperature inside the room; A flow switching valve located between the inlet of the above bypass pipe and the above hot pipe; and A refrigerator including a control unit that controls the refrigerant diversion valve to allow refrigerant to flow through the hot pipe or the bypass pipe based on the temperature of the above-mentioned room and whether the compressor is operating.

3. In paragraph 2, The above control unit, A refrigerator that controls a euro switching valve so that the above-mentioned warm room maintains a warm temperature range.

4. In paragraph 3, The above control unit, A refrigerator in which the flow switching valve is controlled so that refrigerant flows into the bypass pipe when the temperature of the first hot room is lower than the lowest temperature of the hot room temperature range, and the flow switching valve is controlled so that refrigerant does not flow into the bypass pipe when the temperature of the hot room is higher than the highest temperature of the hot room temperature range.

5. In paragraph 4, The above control unit, A refrigerator wherein the flow path switching valve is controlled to maintain the flow path in response to the refrigerant flowing through the bypass pipe and the compressor being driven, and the flow path switching valve is controlled to prevent the refrigerant from flowing into the bypass pipe in response to the refrigerant flowing through the bypass pipe and the compressor not being driven.

6. In paragraph 5, The above refrigerator further includes an outside temperature sensor for measuring the outside temperature of the main body; The above control unit, A refrigerator that controls a bypass valve to allow refrigerant to flow into the bypass pipe after waiting for a first time in response to the first hot room temperature being lower than the lowest temperature of the hot room temperature range.

7. In paragraph 6, The first hour above is, A refrigerator inversely proportional to the outside temperature obtained from the outside temperature sensor.

8. In paragraph 6, The above control unit, Wait for the second hour from the time when the refrigerant starts flowing into the above bypass pipe, A refrigerator that controls a bypass valve so that refrigerant does not flow into the bypass pipe in response to the second hot room temperature being lower than the first hot room temperature after waiting for the second time.

9. In paragraph 8, The second hour above is, A refrigerator proportional to the difference between the lowest temperature in the above-mentioned room temperature range and the temperature of the first room.

10. In paragraph 8, The above refrigerator further includes a compressor cooling fan for cooling the compressor; The above control unit, A refrigerator electrically connected to the compressor cooling fan so that the compressor cooling fan is not operated from the time when refrigerant stops flowing through the bypass pipe.

11. In paragraph 8, The above control unit, A refrigerator that controls a bypass valve so that refrigerant can flow into the bypass pipe after waiting for a preset third time from a time point when refrigerant does not flow into the bypass pipe.

12. In paragraph 11, The above control unit, A refrigerator that controls a flow path switching valve so that refrigerant does not flow into the bypass pipe in response to a third hot room temperature obtained after waiting for the third time and switching the flow path so that refrigerant can flow into the bypass pipe being higher than the highest temperature in the hot room temperature range.

13. In paragraph 12, The above control unit, A refrigerator in which, based on the above-mentioned hot room operating in the defrosting mode, the flow path is switched so that the refrigerant can flow into the bypass pipe after waiting for the third time during the defrosting time, and then the obtained fourth hot room temperature is higher than the maximum temperature of the defrosting temperature range, and the flow path switching valve is controlled so that the refrigerant does not flow into the bypass pipe.

14. In paragraph 2, The above refrigerator further includes a user interface including an input section and a display section; The above control unit, Control the euro switching valve based on the operating mode of the above-mentioned hot room received from the above-mentioned input unit, The above operating mode corresponds to one of the following refrigerator modes: warm mode, defrost mode, and stop mode.

15. A method for controlling a refrigerator, comprising: a main body including a hot room; a cooling device including a compressor, a condenser, an expansion valve, and an evaporator; a hot pipe connected between the compressor and the condenser; a bypass pipe having an inlet and an outlet connected to the hot pipe and passing through the inside of the hot room bulkhead; a hot room temperature sensor for measuring the temperature inside the hot room; and a flow path switching valve located between the inlet of the bypass pipe and the hot pipe. The temperature inside the hot room is measured by the hot room temperature sensor, Determine whether the above compressor is operating, A method for controlling a refrigerator, comprising controlling the euro switching valve according to the temperature obtained from the above-mentioned room temperature sensor and whether the compressor is operating.

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